TechHackz

Share

You may have heard the news: it is now possible to run Android the OS from Google on the Apple iPhone. This is quite an achievement and while it is only Android 1.6 and not yet fully usable this is a great start! We have compiled some instructions and a step by step video after the break!

This hack is for the iPhone 2G not for the latest iPhone version (3G and 3GS) even so a compatible version might come later. All the credits go to planetbeing who ported Android to the iPhone.

You can find extremely detailed step-by-step instructions @ http://androidalot.com/modding/how-to-install-android-on-an-iphone-2g/. All the credits for the tutorial/step by step instructions go to Android A Lot.

To make it easier for you, we have compiled the instructions here as well, be sure to go to http://androidalot.com/modding/how-to-install-android-on-an-iphone-2g/ to say thanks!.

Also don’t miss the video at the end of the post!

[From Android A Lot (http://androidalot.com/)]

Disclaimer

I take no responsibility for any damage you might cause to your phone by following this guide.  Whether it gets bricked, blocked or eventually thrown out of the window, I can’t be held responsible.  Use this guide at your own risk. Thanks!

Introduction

Today’s hype has all been about Android on an iPhone.  As soon as I heard I knew what I’d be doing after work.  Anyway, I’ve finally managed to get Android working and thought I’d write up a clear tutorial for anyone who wants to do it.  Remember, I did this all on a Mac, but it should be possible on Windows or Linux too.  Windows users just get the Windows version of VirtualBox.

The end result is far from a fully working Android system.  It’s Android 1.6 with basic features – calls, texts, WiFi but no camera and probably a few Force Closes.  It’s easy to upgrade Android versions once you’ve managed to get to the end of this tutorial so there’s no harm in getting the hard part out of the way now!

Downloads

Here’s a bunch of stuff that you’ll need before you start:

1. IMPORTANT! Jailbroken iPhone 2G
2. VirtualBox (link).  Get the right version Windows/Mac
3. VirtualBox Ubuntu Image (link).  Download number 10, Ubuntu Linux 9.10 codename Karmic Koala x86
4. iPhone Explorer (link).  If you’re on Linux you can use FTP such as FileZilla instead.
5. Android images and sources (link)
6. Patched images (link).  Courtesy of Geekoid.

Preparation

Let’s get some of the basics out of the way:

1. Open Task Manager
2. Kill the iTunes Helper process
3. Install iPhone Explorer
4. Connect your iPhone to your Mac/PC
5. Run iPhone Explorer
6. Click the Change Root button
7. Select “/” Real iPhone Root Directory
8. Browse to private/var
9. Copy ramdisk.img, userdata.img, cache.img and zImage from Downloads#5 (Android images and sources) to that var directory
10. Copy system.img and android.img.gz from Downloads#6 (patched images) to the that var directory
11. That’s all the Android files on your iPhone, now to make them run!

Setting Up Virtual Box

1. Install VirtualBox
2. Open VirtualBox
3. Go on File > Virtual Media Manager
4. Make sure Hard Disks is selected
5. Click Add
6. Locate the ubuntu-9.10.vdi file (download#3) and select it
7. Close Virtual Media Manager
8. Go on Machine > New
9. Click Next
10. Under Name enter “Ubuntu”
11. Select Linux Operating System
12. Select Ubuntu Version
13. Click Next
14. Set an amount of RAM, the default should be fine
15. Click Next
16. Select “Use existing hard disk”
17. Select the ubuntu-9.10.vdi
18. Click Next
19. Click Finish
20. Select that new machine to start up Ubuntu
21. The password to login is: reverse

Setting Up Ubuntu

Almost there – if this feels a bit long, just consider how short and simple each step is!

1. Click System (top bar) > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager
2. Enter the password: reverse
3. In the quicksearch box, type libusb-1.0, click the Check Box next to libusb-1.0-0 and select Mark for installation
4. In the quicksearch box, type libreadline, click the Check Box next to libreadline5 and select Mark for installtion
5. Click Apply
6. When it’s all installed close the Package Manager
7. Open Firefox (in Ubuntu)
8. Download openiboot installer from here
9. Click Places (top bar) > Downloads
10. Right-click openiboot.zip and click Extract Here
11. Click Applications (top bar) > Accessories > Terminal
12. Without the quotes, type ‘cd Downloads/openiboot’
13. Restart your iPhone in Recovery Mode (power off, hold down Home button, connect to USB cable)

Getting Android Working!

Well done on getting this far! This is where the fun beings (credits to WinX Blog for these instructions – link)

1. In VirtualBox, the Ubuntu Window, go on Devices > USB Devices and select iPhone (Recovery Mode)
2. In the terminal type (without quotes): ’sudo su’
3. Enter the password: reverse
4. In the terminal type ./loadibec openiboot.img3
5. You’ll see the OpeniBoot screen appear on your iPhone
6. Hold down the power button a couple of seconds (iPhone)
7. The bottom option, openiboot console, will become selected
8. Press Home (iPhone).  You’ll see a bunch of text appear and stop at “Welcome to openiboot”
9. In VirtualBox, the Ubuntu Window, go on Devices > USB Devices and select iPhone (OpeniBoot Mode)
10. In terminal type su ./oibc
11. Enter the password: reverse
12. If this doesn’t work just type: ./oibc
13. You’ll see the same text from the iPhone in the Terminal
14. Type (without quotes) ‘nor_read 0×09000000 0×0 1048576′ and press Enter
15. Wait for it to say Done
16. Type (without quotes) ‘~norbackup.dump:1048576′
17. This creates a backup of your NOR memory – save a copy on USB stick, or email it to yourself or something
18. Type install, press Enter.  When this is done you’ve got openiboot installed on your iPhone.  You’re done!

Finishing Off

What you’ve achieved up til now is Android files on your iPhone, and then installing openiboot so that you have an option to start iPhone OS or Android when you turn on your phone.  Openiboot was necessary because that’s the only way right now that you can boot into Android.  Here’s how to finish off and get into Android:

1. If you still have Terminal open with the oibc still running, just type ‘reboot’, press Enter and skip to step 3
2. If you don’t have Terminal open, disconnect your phone, turn it off and back on
3. When openiboot appears press Power button to switch to openiboot console (bottom option)
4. Hold down the Home button
5. Android will start to boot, but it might take a while

Here is the video!

Guide to Installing Android on iPhone 2G from AndroidALot on Vimeo.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and join our Facebook Fan page to stay updated.